Table 1 Classification of complications
From: Ultrasound-guided percutaneous tracheostomy in critically ill obese patients
Minor | Intermediate | Major |
|---|---|---|
Bleeding not requiring compression or administration of packed red blood cells | Bleeding requiring compression without blood transfusion | Bleeding requiring administration of packed blood cells |
Hypoxemia (SpO2 of less than 90%) or hypotension (systolic arterial pressure of below 100 mm Hg) for less than 5 minutes or both | Posterior tracheal wall injury but not requiring surgical repair | Esophageal injury |
Difficult puncture or multiple punctures (more than three) | Subglottic stenosis | Posterior tracheal wall injury requiring surgical repair |
Puncture of the tracheal tube cuff | Granuloma | Pneumothorax |
Peristomal infection not requiring antibiotic treatment | Peristomal infection requiring local care or antibiotic treatment or both | |
Atelectasis | Malposition of the tracheostomy tube (pre-tracheal or para-tracheal insertion) | Loss of airway |
Surgical conversion | ||
Tracheal ring fracture | Cardiac arrest | |
Death |